Ethereal underwater mermaid photoshoot by Chinese photographer 夏弃疾_. The model is wearing traditional Chinese hanfu. (Source)

Isn’t it nice how people twist their religious scripture to suit their weds but when it’s used against them it’s suddenly not okay

I talked to a monk about this quote once (we have mutual friends, and he came to a New Year’s Eve party at my shared art studio). He said this isn’t even talking about homosexuality. That the bible never actually says homosexuality is wrong. What that passage means is this:

Women were treated as subservient and it that you shouldn’t treat other men as subservient, like they are beneath you. It is not talking about homosexuality. If it was, it would say it outright since the bible lists other things outright.

I take the word of a monk who have studied the bible extensively more than a self proclaimed Christian.

The above text, I would like to point out is from the point of view of this translation of the original Hebrew. I spoke with my cousin’s rabbi on the matter and his response was different, saying that it was a mistranslation. See, the true translation says that a man shall not lie with another in the bed of a woman, which is to say, the Hebrews had a shit ton of rules about when a man was or was not allowed in a woman’s bed and private quarters (including, if she didn’t want you there, you weren’t allowed there. Hebrew women were also allowed to divorce their husbands and the image of the ‘oppressive Hebrew people’ is an image that was propogated by Christianity which, historically speaking, doesn’t treat the Jewish people too well and liked to paint them as being rather barbaric and backwards and cultish with their traditions, which, another piece of fun info, their traditions were one of the main reasons why the Jewish people were less likely, in medieval times, to die of the plague. Because washing your hands and avoiding the dead and vermin and the like was a lot of help. Of course the Christians persecuted them for not dying but that’s another matter. I’m sidetracked). So the verse is literally saying ‘Don’t fuck in some lady’s bed because that’s just goddamn rude’

Also, whenever a Christian brings the book of Leviticus up, you should feel free to point out that these are rules that were given to make the Hebrew people prepared for when the son of God came to earth. In Christianity, it’s believed the son of God was Jesus. So by following the rules set in Leviticus or pushing them as things we should follow, they’re saying that Jesus was not the son of God, and that Jesus did not, in fact, die for our sins. Jewish people believe, in their faith, that the son of God hasn’t yet been born, so many choose to follow these rules.

Most people of course roll their eyes when I explain the translation of the verse (full breakdown found here) but it’s always fun to point out the nature of the rules in Leviticus and the implications of following them. 

I’m a theology student and I am on the verge of crying because of how accurate this commentary is. Historical context is simultaneously the most interesting and most important part of interpreting any texts. 

Most religious people seem to base their beliefs on things that are severely mistranslated. I wish they would do their research before using the bible for hate.

I studied theology extensively and was going to become a theologist until I switched majors. The above commentary is 100% accurate and what I try to stress in a lot if conversations with Bible Thumpers.

Jesus also affirms the homosexual relationship between the Roman Centurion and his “slave”. The particular Greek word used to refer to this special slave was “pais”. Greek language studies and contexts show that a “pais” was a male love slave. Regular slaves were called “dolos”. The Centurion makes this distinction clearly when he asks Jesus to heal his slave (pais), and then to prove his status he tells Jesus that his slaves (dolos) go when he tells them to. But this slave (pais) was special. He was the Centurion’s lover.

Hearing this, Jesus was so amazed he says he had not found ANYONE ELSE who had such great faith. He then blesses the Centurion and heals his male lover.

Matthew 8:5-13

THIS IS WHAT THE BIBLE REALLY TEACHES ABOUT SAME SEX COUPLES.

In short, the English adaptation is a mistranslated farce.

^^^^this

reblogging for the comments ^^^^^^

EXCUSE ME WHILE I REBLOG THIS FIFTY MILLION TIMES

This gets to go on my main blog because this is the most concise explanation of the mistranslation I have ever read and ALL OF YOU SHOULD READ ALL OF IT.

What did she do to be in that position?

NEW YORK TIMES

Seven dams generate almost half of Cambodia’s electricity. China built and paid for all of them.

This one, near Cambodia’s southern coast, is about 360 feet tall. It is the fourth-largest by power output in the country.

Sri Lanka borrowed more than $1 billion from China for this strategic deepwater port, but couldn’t repay the money. The port is now controlled by China, which is leasing it for the next 99 years.

South Africa turned to China for $1.5 billion for a coal-fired power plant. It is one of at least 63 such plants financed by China around the world, which collectively pollute more than Spain.

Zambia tapped China for $94 million to build a soccer stadium of over 50,000 seats. These are among the more than 600 projects around the world that China has financed to win new friends and develop new markets.

China envisions a vast global network of trade, investment and infrastructure that will reshape financial and geopolitical ties — and bring the rest of the world closer to Beijing.

It is a modern-day version of the Marshall Plan, America’s reconstruction effort after World War II, which created a foundation for enduring military and diplomatic alliances. China’s strategy is bolder, more expensive and far riskier.

Its money doesn’t necessarily come with the usual rules. And the cost, for China and its borrowers alike, can sometimes be too high.

We examined nearly 600 projects that China helped finance in the last decade, through billions of dollars in grants, loans and investments. Taken together, they show the scope and motivation of China’s strategy.

41 pipelines and other oil and gas infrastructure help China secure valuable resources.

203 bridges, roads and railways create new ways for China to move its goods around the world.

199 power plants — for nuclear, natural gas, coal and renewables — give China new markets for its construction and equipment companies.

We found 112 countries where China has financed projects. While most fall under its infrastructure plan known as the Belt and Road Initiative, Beijing has pushed beyond those boundaries.

(Continue Reading)

This is Catriona Gray, Miss Philippines candidate for Miss Universe 2018, and this is her national costume.

While I’ve never been a fan of the concept of beauty contests in general, I am honestly awed by and proud of how much thought she put into the intricate details of her costume in order to represent the whole of the Philippines, because the representation and visibility of the essence of Philippine culture on an international scale means so much for a country whose history is rife with colonization trying to erase our native culture, and in a time when racism and white privilege still prevails.

See below her explanation (taken from her IG):

LUZVIMINDA: “Magdiwang. Lumaban. Pagyamanin.” 🇵🇭✨  LUZON—”MAGDIWANG" (Celebrate):

The island group of LUZON is represented by the world-renowned “PAROL/CHRISTMAS LANTERN” from the province of Pampanga with a BRASS BORDER designed and made in Apalit, Pampanga (inspired by designs from the Philippine Baroque Churches that were declared as UNESCO Heritage Sites)

At the back of the PAROL is a PAINTING with INSCRIPTION of the lyrics from “LUPANG HINIRANG”, the Philippines’ National Anthem written in Baybayin (Ancient Filipino Alphabet) that literally translates to: “Lupang hinirang, Duyan ka ng magiting, Sa manlulupig Di ka pasisiil. Sa dagat at bundok, Sa simoy at sa langit mong bughaw.” The PAINTING also highlighted victories, festivals, events, heroes and national icons with a style inspired by the works of Philippine National Artist Carlos “Botong” Francisco, a native of the Art Capital of the Philippines, Angono, Rizal in Luzon. VISAYAS—”LUMABAN" (Fight): The island group of VISAYAS is represented by a body suit with authentic “tattoo designs” embellished with crystals derived from patterns used by the “PINTADOS” who are indigenous peoples found in various islands in this part of the Philippines. 

The tattoo patterns are authentic and based from the manusript “BOXER CODEX” written in 1590. The tattoos represent an individual’s journey and a public testimony recounting acts of combat, bravery, and strength, that perfectly represents the courageous and resilient Filipino spirit amidst trials we face in this day and age. MINDANAO—“PAGYAMANIN" (Enrich): The island group of MINDANAO is represented by an authentic “HEADPIECE & BRASS ACCESSORIES” from the province of South Cotabato and customized KNEE-HIGH BOOTS with embroidered designs inspired by different indigenous textile patterns from the southern part of the Philippines, namely: Inaul, Yakan, Maranao, B'laan, Bagobo, Tausug and T'nalak. 

The woven textiles express a strong belief in “ancestral and natural spirits” and “cultural roots” of indigenous communities that remain well-preserved up to this day. Pilipinas, para sa iyo ang lahat ng ito. 

Cool there’s been asbestos in Johnson & Johnson baby powder this whole time and they have been aware of it for decades and done nothing

@laeffy yeah you uh. Need to stop doing that immediately and maybe go to the doctor to make sure you don’t have mesothelioma

this is so fucking sick

FYI, this applies to talc & talc-based powders / body products in general— J&J knew about this for decades because talc & asbestos occur together naturally (the minerals literally grow together in nature, have similar compositions, and are / were mined together), and they’re difficult to cleanly filter out from each other.

It’s old knowledge that, unless you’re involved in mining, mineralogy, or occupational health & safety, has been deliberately buried from both the public’s and regulators’ knowledge.

CNBC’s article + their writeup on the Reuters report revealing J&J’s cover-ups go into more detail on their corporate liability and the impact of J&J’s products specifically…

…But I cannot overstate that people’s best option right now is to look for products in general that do not contain talc at all, regardless of the manufacturer, and to be vigilant in seeking appropriate healthcare (and/or legal action if required) if symptoms arise.

This goes for body use (diaper powder, chafing powder— this is where the cases of ovarian cancer are coming from), for any use where powder may be inhaled (hair, face), or will have prolonged exposure to mucus membranes (eye makeup, bath bombs, etc.).

J&J are not the only ones who have covered this data up, and companies that aren’t sued will absolutely continue to do so. Be safe & be vigilant.

I walked by the new cat arcade today and I am shaken.

Ash: Pikachu…if we want to beat Lt. Surge and his Raichu…you might need to evolve…whaddya say?

Pikachu:

Official concept artwork for Trainer Red, Blue and Green (Leaf) for Pokémon Lets Go!

Hybrid Child: A Novel (Parallel Futures) (2018)

Until he escaped, he had been called “Sample B #3,” but he had never liked this name. That would surprise them—that he could feel one way or another about it. He was designed to reshape himself based on whatever life forms he ingested; he was not made to think, and certainly not to assume the shape of a repair technician whose cells he had sampled and then simply walk out of the secure compound.

Artificial Intelligence is all too real in this classic of Japanese science fiction by Mariko Ohara. Jonah, a child murdered by her mother, has become the spirit of an AI-controlled house where the rogue cyborg once known as Sample B #3 takes refuge and, making a meal of the dead girl buried under the house, takes Jonah’s form. On faraway Planet Caritas, an outpost of human civilization, the female AI system that governs society has become insane. Meanwhile, the threat of the Adiaptron Empire, the machine race that #3 was built to fight, remains. 

With the familiar strangeness of a fairy tale, Ohara’s novel traverses the mysterious distance between body and mind, between the mechanics of life and the ghost in the machine, between the infinitesimal and infinity. The child as mother, the mother as monster, the monster as hero: this shape-shifting story of nourishment, nurture, and parturition is a rare feminist work of speculative fiction and received the prestigious Seiun (Nebula) Award in 1991. Hybrid Child is the first English translation of a major work of science fiction by a female Japanese author. 

by Mariko Ohara (Author), Jodie Beck (Translator)

Get it now here

Mariko Ohara’s many books include Senso-wo Enjita Kamigamitachi (Gods Prosecuting War), which won the 1994 Nihon SF Taisho Award for best science fiction work of the year; Taimu Riipa (Time Leaper, 1993); and Kyuuketsuki Efemera (Ephemera the Vampire, 1993). She also writes for comics, radio, and video games, including the original script for Super Nintendo Gaia Gensoki (Illusion of Gaia). Saiko Saundo Mashin (Psycho Sound Machine, 1998), based on one of her stories, won the Galaxy Award for best radio drama.

Jodie Beck is an ESL/EFL instructor and Japanese–English translator. Her translations of essays have been published in Mechademia.

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like if u cry everytime

Christmas Flashback part 2 - Traditions

regarding all the hooplah about my work being reposted without credit: this is why. i really prefer retweets and reblogs, but if you must repost, this is what citing the creator had the power to do. removing us from the equation is denying us proper exposure to potential clients when this is the only means of income we have. edit: the article shown here is not about me!! i appreciate all the congrats comments but i was merely showing the power proper credit has.

Don’t repost stuff, but if you do, give credit

Seijin no Hi (Coming Of Age Day) Archery Ceremony in Kyoto Ladies gather at Sanjūsangen-dō Temple to demonstrate their archery skills at the Ōmato Taikai (3)